What does the term "civil disobedience" mean?

The term "civil disobedience" refers to the nonviolent refusal to obey certain laws as a form of protest against policies or actions perceived as unjust. This concept is grounded in the belief that individuals can challenge the legitimacy of laws that they deem morally wrong or detrimental to society. Historically, civil disobedience has been a significant tool for social change, with notable examples including Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and Mohandas Gandhi in India's struggle for independence.

The practice is characterized by its commitment to nonviolence, emphasizing peaceful resistance rather than violent rebellion. It seeks to raise public awareness and compel governmental change through the moral high ground of conscientious objection. This is why the understanding of civil disobedience primarily centers around the principles of nonviolent action and deliberate law-breaking aimed at achieving social or political reform.